About This Career

Researches or studies range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Science and Mathematics pathway.

A person in this career:

• Regulates grazing, such as by issuing permits and checking for compliance with standards, and helps ranchers plan and organize grazing systems to manage, improve, protect, and maximize the use of rangelands.
• Manages forage resources through fire, herbicide use, or revegetation to maintain a sustainable yield from the land.
• Coordinates with federal land managers and other agencies and organizations to manage and protect rangelands.
• Maintains soil stability and vegetation for non-grazing uses, such as wildlife habitats and outdoor recreation.
• Measures and assesses vegetation resources for biological assessment companies, environmental impact statements, and rangeland monitoring programs.
• Studies grazing patterns to determine number and kind of livestock that can be most profitably grazed and to determine the best grazing seasons.
• Offers advice to rangeland users on water management, forage production methods, and control of brush.
• Plans and directs construction and maintenance of range improvements, such as fencing, corrals, stock-watering reservoirs, and soil-erosion control structures.
• Mediates agreements among rangeland users and preservationists as to appropriate land use and management.
• Studies rangeland management practices and researches range problems to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Weekend work